Above-joist, integrated deck-gutter system

ABSTRACT

A deck with an integrated gutter system includes at least two separated joists and a plurality of planks. Each plank includes longitudinal grooves, is disposed above and supported by the joists, has an undersurface which is juxtaposed with the joists, and is secured to the joists. The deck also includes a plurality of unitary channels. Each channel includes a pair of flanges which mate with longitudinal grooves of immediately adjacent planks. The mating of the flanges of the channel with the grooves of the planks provides the deck with an impervious gutter that extends between and along the two planks, and is located above the joists to which the planks are secured.

CLAIM OF PROVISIONAL APPLICATION RIGHTS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional patentapplication Ser. No. 60/399,681 filed on Jul. 31, 2002

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to decks that may be attached tothe exterior of buildings, and more particularly to a gutter system thatis integrated directly into the deck's planks.

Published U.S. Patent Application No. 2002/0032990 A1 (“the '990 patentpublication”), a continuation-in-part of U.S. Pat. No. 6,279,271 B1(“the '271 patent”), discloses that typically, decks have planks forflooring with openings between the planks through which water and othermatter infiltrate. Usually decks are attached to building structures.Many upper story decks have useable space beneath them, including lowerdecks and patios. It is often desirable to protect areas under decksfrom infiltration, particularly of rainwater, and to divert theinfiltration away from areas beneath the deck.

Ways of dealing with infiltrations though decks include:

-   -   1. special decking planks having a trough formed along one edge        and a mating flange formed along another edge;    -   2. building a flat or sloping roof at some level underneath the        deck planks as part of the deck structure;    -   3. attaching water shedding gutters directly or indirectly to        deck joists; and    -   4. attaching water channeling troughs to deck joists.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,758,467 (“the '467 patent”) discloses a modular deckmember or plank 30 preferably made from a material which has therequisite durability, strength, and flexibility characteristicsnecessary for the plank 30. The planks 30 are preferably extruded frompolyvinyl chloride (“PVC”), or alternatively from any suitablethermoplastic material, such as polypropylene, polyethylene, low densitypolyethylene (“LDPE”), vinyl acetate copolymers, vinyl chloride monomers(“VCM”), or acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (“ABS”).

The plank 30 disclosed in the '467 patent includes several hollowchannels 510 a-510 d that extend parallel to each other throughout itslength. A first connector portion 200, which is extruded along one edgeof the plank 30, includes a U-shaped gutter 220 that has an upwardlyprojecting finger 270 which forms one edge of the plank 30. A secondconnector portion 300, extruded along the other edge of the plank 30,includes a groove 350. The groove 350 is adapted to receive the finger270 of the first connector portion 200 of an immediately adjacent plank30 between a groove strut 360 and a leg 430. The leg 430 extendsdownward from the top of one plank 30, parallel and adjacent to thefinger 270, to a gutter floor 240 of the gutter 220 of an immediatelyadjacent plank 30. A foot member 440, that is located immediately abovethe gutter floor 240 and that projects away from the leg 430 across thegutter floor 240, forms the other edge of the plank 30. Thus, duringassembly of a deck using planks 30 the leg 430 and foot member 440 ofthe second connector portion 300 of a first plank 30 are inserted intothe gutter 220 of a second plank 30 such that the finger 270 of thesecond plank 30 is disposed within the groove 350 of first plank 30, andfoot member 440 is disposed in contact with gutter floor 240. In thisway the second connector portion 300 of the first plank 30 overlaps intothe gutter 220 of the first connector portion 200 of the second plank30. Fasteners 40, which extend downward through holes that respectivelypierce both the foot member 440 of one plank 30 and the gutter floor 240of an immediately adjacent plank 30, fix the planks 30 to a subfloor orsupporting structure. Assembled in this way, gutters 220 permit water todrain along their respective lengths between and parallel to pairs ofimmediately adjacent planks 30. However, the gutters 220 provided by theplanks 30 are not impervious due to the presence of the holes throughwhich pass the fasteners 40. Thus, runoff water may penetrate the gutter220 to the subfloor or supporting structure immediately beneath planks30.

Instead of planks manufactured specifically for use in decks, a flatroof may be built as part of the deck structure above joists whichsupport the decking planks before planks forming the deck are laid ontothe roof. As is readily apparent, such a flat roof must be built firstduring the deck's construction. Alternatively, a sloping roof withframing can be built beneath the joists supporting the deck. The '271patent and the '990 patent publication respectively disclose a slopingroof that is located beneath deck planks and joists.

Instead of constructing a roof beneath the deck's planks, elongateddrainage gutters can be attached directly or indirectly to joists thatsupport the deck's planks. U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,860,502, 5,511,351,5,765,328, 6,212,837 B1, 6,226,956 B1 and 6,393,785 B1 all discloseelongated drainage gutters which are fastened to sides of joists thatsupport the deck's planks and span between the joists. U.S. Pat. Nos.6,260,316 B1 and 6,415,571 B2 both disclose elongated drainage gutterswhich are supported beneath the joists that support the deck's planksand span between the joists. U.S. Pat. No. 4,065,883 (“the '883 patent”)discloses gutters disposed between joists having flanges or lips thatare fastened to the top of deck joists with the deck's planks being laidonto of the trough's flanges or lips. Finally, U.S. Pat. No. 6,308,479,in one embodiment, discloses elongated support rails, that are fasteneddirectly to the lower surface of decking planks between joists, to whichelongated drainage gutters are attached.

A major problem with all these trough-type drainage systems is that theydepend on joist orientation and regularity of spacing between joists.Many decks are built with joists of one section oriented perpendicularlyor diagonally to joists of other sections. Some decks have sections atdifferent levels. The mechanics and appearance of integrating irregularand/or transversely oriented troughs, perhaps at different elevations,is awkward as best and probably unworkable in a great many situations.

Another major problem is achieving satisfactory appearance for thesedrainage systems. For appearance purposes, bottoms of decks with troughsin the joist area may preferably be covered, adding additional materialand weight to the structure, and, making access for maintenance andleakage problems even more difficult. Infiltrations between the troughand the deck's structure is another problem that is generally notaddressed in the references identified above. Presumably, at least forexisting decks, a lot of caulking and flashing would be required in thejoist space. If there is a maintenance problem with the gutter systemsdisclosed in the references, access could be very difficult.

From a structural perspective, other than for the gutter systemsdisclosed in the '467 and the '883 patents, the references identifiedabove disclose gutter systems that effectively constitute separate roofspositioned somewhere below the upper surface of joists that support thedeck's planks. Other than for the special purpose decking planksdisclosed in the '467 patent, none of the gutter systems disclosed inthose references are integrated directly into the deck's planks.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of the present invention is to provide a gutter system whichis easily incorporated into a deck.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a gutter systemfor a deck which is simple to construct.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a guttersystem for a deck that is durable.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a guttersystem for a deck that is cost effective.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a guttersystem for a deck that is easily and economically manufactured.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a guttersystem for a deck that is easily maintained.

Briefly, a deck which incorporates an integrated gutter system inaccordance with the present invention includes at least two separatedjoists and a plurality of planks. Each plank includes longitudinalgrooves, is disposed above and supported by the joists, has anundersurface which is juxtaposed with the joists, and is secured to thejoists. The deck also includes a plurality of unitary channels. Eachchannel includes a pair of flanges which mate with the longitudinalgrooves of immediately adjacent planks. The mating of the flanges of thechannel with the grooves of the planks provides the deck with animpervious gutter that extends between and along the two planks, and islocated above the joists to which the planks are secured.

A preferred embodiment of the present invention employs slices that arecut into undersurfaces of planks to provide grooves that receive flangesdisposed along edges of channels with a central section of each channelresting on the joists. One alternative embodiment of the presentinvention employs slices that are cut into side surfaces of the planksto provide grooves that receive flanges that have ridges and that aredisposed along edges of channels' central section. Yet anotheralternative embodiment of the present invention employs grooves whichmate and lock with peaks of upward projecting flanges of the channels'central section.

An advantage of the present invention is that the gutter system isessentially invisible from above, and appears only as narrow strips frombelow.

These and other features, objects and advantages will be understood orapparent to those of ordinary skill in the art from the followingdetailed description of the preferred embodiment as illustrated in thevarious drawing figures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view depicting a preferred embodiment guttersystem in accordance with the present invention in which channels areintegrated with the deck's planks;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional elevational view of the integrated guttersystem taken along the line 2-2 in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the integrated gutter system of FIG. 1that also includes a collection gutter;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional elevational view depicting an alternativeembodiment gutter system in accordance with the present invention inwhich channels are integrated with the deck's planks;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional elevational view of the alternativeembodiment integrated gutter system taken along the line 5-5 in FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional elevational view depicting yet anotheralternative embodiment gutter system in accordance with the presentinvention in which channels are integrated with the deck's planks;

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional elevational view of the alternativeembodiment integrated gutter system taken along the line 7-7 in FIG. 6.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIGS. 1 through 3 depict a deck in accordance with the present inventionidentified by the general reference number 10. The deck 10 includesseveral, preferably wooden, joists 12 that are separated from each otherand that are fixed with respect to each other. As depicted in FIGS. 1through 3, undersurfaces 14 of a number of planks 16, collectivelydisposed in a substantially parallel orientation, are juxtaposed withthe joists 12.

If the deck 10 is elevated and abuts a building, not illustrated in anyof the FIGs., the joists 12 are preferably oriented parallel to thebuilding so the planks 16 supported by the joists 12 are orientedsubstantially perpendicularly to the building. In such circumstances,the joists 12 are preferably supported by beams, not illustrated in anyof the FIGs., that are anchored perpendicularly to the building, andthat are supported by posts near exposed ends of the beams.

Before planks 16 are juxtaposed with the joists 12, two (2) longitudinalslices 22 are cut into the undersurface 14 of each plank 16. Each slice22 preferably pierces the undersurface 14 at a distance of less thanone-half (½) inch from a side-surface 24 of the plank 16. Each slice 22is preferably oriented inward toward the center of the plank 16 withrespect to the undersurface 14 at an acute angle of 60° indicated inFIG. 2 by the Greek letter α. After the slices 22 have been cut in theundersurface 14 the plank 16 and during juxtaposition of the plank 16with the joists 12, a substantially planar flange 32 of an elongated,one-piece channel 34 is inserted into each of the slices 22.

As depicted in FIGS. 1 through 3, each one-piece channel 34 includes two(2) substantially planar flanges 32 which respectively extend alongopposite edges 36 of a substantially planar central section 38 of thechannel 34, and are not coplanar therewith. The central section 38shares each edge 36 with one of the flanges 32 of which it also forms anedge 36. The central section 38 preferably has a width between the edges36 of approximately one (1) inch so both of the flanges 32 may be fullyinserted into the slices 22 cut into two (2) immediately adjacent planks16. The portion of the flanges 32 extending away from the centralsection 38 of each channel 34 are preferably formed to diverge from eachother at an acute angle of 60° if the planes of both flanges 32 wereextended past the central section 38 to a line along which theyintersect each other. Consequently, after one of the flanges 32 of achannel 34 is fully inserted into the slice 22 cut into the undersurface14 of a plank 16, the central section 38 of the channel 34 is orientedsubstantially parallel to, but not coplanar with, the undersurface 14 ofthe plank 16. In this way, each channel 34, which is preferably madefrom medium-weight galvanized sheet metal, spans between the two (2)immediately adjacent planks 16 to provide, in conjunction with the two(2) planks 16, an impervious gutter 42 for that portion of the deck 10.Other suitable sheet materials from which the channels 34 may be formedinclude stainless steel, aluminum or polycarbonate plastic.

The preferred material for the planks 16 is a solid plasticwood-alternative material sold by a number of different manufacturersthat is made from 100% recycled polyethylene plastic obtained from sodabottles, detergent bottles, and milk containers. This solid plasticwood-alternative material is strong, impact resistant, and “wood-like”in appearance. Furthermore, this material is maintenance free, and safeto walk on wet or dry. Similar to wood, the solid plasticwood-alternative material can be cut, drilled, mitered, and sanded withconventional woodworking tools. For best results, the solid plasticwood-alternative material is cut with a carbide tip, teflon® coatedcircular saw blade with a thick kerf design and ribbed heat vents toobtain a smooth cut and reduce the tendency for the blade to “grab” inthe material. A suitable standard saw blade is available from mostbuilding supply centers.

Various conventional fasteners may be used for securing the solidplastic wood-alternative material of the planks 16 to the joists 12.However, as depicted particularly in FIG. 2, to withstand expansion andcontraction of the planks 16 as well as maintaining a long lasting,beautiful looking deck 10, stainless steel deck fasteners 52 arepreferably used for securing the planks 16 to the joists 12. For planks16 that are nominally two (2) inches thick, i.e. actual measuredthickness being one and one-half (1½) inches, stainless steel squarehead #10 deck fasteners 52 two and one-half (2½) or three (3) incheslong are preferred for the fasteners 52. Preferably, holes 54 to receivethe fasteners 52 are pre-drilled and counter-sunk into the solid plasticwood-alternative material planks 16, particularly if screws used for thefasteners 52 are not self-tapping. If holes 54 are not pre-drilled intothe planks 16, due to friction heating of the plank 16 during screwingto the joist 12, from time to time pigtails of the solid plasticwood-alternative material may occur as well as broken screws. Allfasteners 52 should be placed no closer than one (1) inch from any edgeof the solid plastic wood-alternative material planks 16, nor protrudefrom any plank 16 closer than one (1) inch from any edge.

Solid plastic wood-alternative materials made from recycled plasticexpand and contract in response to changes in temperature. For example,a twelve (12) foot plank 16 may expand or contract one-quarter (¼) inchin response to a 40° degree Fahrenheit change in temperature.Consequently, when a plank 16 abuts against any wall, fixed surface orother board, it should be securely fastened to the nailer or doublejoist with a gap allowing for expansion. The size of gap should bedetermined based on weather conditions at the time of installation. Thecloser the temperature is to the usual high temperature for the year,the smaller the gap.

The planks 16 of the deck 10 should be arranged to minimize the buttjoints between planks 16. However, if joints are required, a doublejoist should be used beneath the butt joint. The planks 16 on both sidesof the joint should be securely fastened with a row of fasteners 52 oneach side of the joint. Always space planks 16 three-eights (⅜) inchfrom a permanent structure. Lighter color planks 16 do not heat up asmuch in sunlight and are therefore preferable if the deck 10 is in avery sunny location.

A short time interval after assembly of the planks 16, the slices 22clamp the flanges 32 firmly within the solid plastic wood-alternativematerial so the gutters 42 do not leak. Clamping of the flanges 32 bythe slices 22 occurs due to a difference in tension between the outer“skin” of the solid plastic wood-alternative material planks 16 andmaterial in the interior of the plank 16. With the plank 16 thus sealedto the channels 34, the gutters 42 carry runoff water between normallyspaced pairs of planks 16 to the end of the channels 34. The deck 10need not be sloped, but the planks 16 cannot sag more than ¾ inch belowtheir highest point. To prevent sagging and to accommodate theproperties of the solid plastic wood-alternative material, for planks 16that are nominally two (2) inches thick, i.e. actual measured thicknessbeing one and one-half (1½) inches, the joists 12 should be spaced nofurther than sixteen (16) inches apart center to center. By sloping theplanks 16 one-eighth (⅛) inch per foot downward away from a wall of abuilding, the gutters 42 drain water away from the wall to an edge ofthe deck 10.

If the edge of the deck 10 is further from the wall of a building thanthe length of the channels 34, then ends of pairs of channels 34 may beoverlapped to establish gutters 42 which extend from the wall to theedge of the deck 10. Securing the planks 16 to the joists 12 combinedwith the firm clamping of overlapped slices 22 within the solid plasticwood-alternative material produces a seal between the channels 34 so thegutters 42 do not leak.

FIG. 3 depicts a configuration for the gutters 42 in which all therunoff water does not drain to an edge of the deck 10. Rather, in theillustration of FIG. 3 the channels 34 include ends 62 that are locatedin the interior of the deck 10. For this configuration of the deck 10,some of the runoff water drains from the gutters 42 into an elongated,trough-shaped collection gutter 64 formed from medium-weight galvanizedsheet metal that is disposed beneath the ends 62 of the channels 34. Thecollection gutter 64 is located between and oriented parallel to thejoists 12 supporting the planks 16. Ends of the joist 12 are fixed to aledger 72 that is secured to a wall of a building not illustrated inFIG. 3. An end flange 74 of the collection gutter 64 rests on the ledger72 thereby supporting that end of the collection gutter 64. A pair oflongitudinal flanges 76 extend along opposite sides of the collectiongutter 64 which increases its rigidity.

The collection gutter 64 may be fastened to undersurfaces 14 of theplanks 16 with pan-head, non-corrosive screws, not illustrated in any ofthe FIGs., disposed through holes 78 that pierce the longitudinalflanges 76. Alternatively, the collection gutter 64 may be held tightlyup against undersurfaces 14 of the planks 16 with blocking, notillustrated in any of the FIGs., that is secured immediately beneath thecollection gutter 64 and between an immediately adjacent pair of joists12 which are located on opposite sides of the collection gutter 64.

FIGS. 4 and 5 illustrate an alternative embodiment, integrated guttersystem in accordance with the present invention. Those elements depictedin FIGS. 4 and 5 that are common to the integrated gutter systemillustrated in FIGS. 1-3 carry the same reference numeral distinguishedby a prime (“′”) designation. For the deck 10′ illustrated in FIG. 4,joists 12′ are fixed to a ledger 72′ that is fastened to a wall 82 of abuilding. Assembled in substantially the same way as the deck 10illustrated in FIGS. 1-3, solid wood planks 16′ of the deck 10′ aresecured to the joists 12′ by fasteners 52′ which extend through holes54′ which are drilled through the planks 16′. For the alternativeembodiment deck 10′ illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5, plated threadedhalf-shank #10 screws three (3) inches long are preferred for thefasteners 52′.

In the embodiment depicted in FIGS. 4 and 5, slices 22′ are preferablycut three thirty-seconds ( 3/32) of an inch wide and one (1.0) inch deepinto side-surfaces 24′ of solid wood planks 16′ approximately one-half(½) inch above undersurfaces 14′ thereof. Referring now particularly toFIG. 5, each slice 22′ receives one of the flanges 32′ of the channel34′ that respectively extend longitudinally along both edges 36′ of thecentral section 38′ thereof. The sheet material of each flange 32′, fromwhich the channel 34′ is formed, includes an upwardly projecting,inverted, V-shaped ridge 86 that extends longitudinally along the flange32′ parallel to the central section 38′ of the channel 34′. Sides 88 ofthe V-shaped ridges 86 are respectively oriented at an angle β withrespect to the substantially planar central section 38′ of the channel34′. The angle β is preferably twenty degrees (20°).

Similar to the channels 34 illustrated in FIGS. 1-3, the channels 34′are preferably made from medium-weight galvanized sheet metal, and spanbetween the two (2) immediately adjacent planks 16′ to provide, inconjunction with the two (2) planks 16′, impervious gutters 42′ that arelocated between the two (2) planks 16′. At the wall 82, the centralsection 38′ of the channel 34′ bends upward at a right angle, i.e.ninety degrees (90°), and the flange 32′, which extends outward from theslice 22, presses against the wall 82 to provide the impervious gutter42′. Swelling of the wooden planks 16′ due to the presence of runoffwater in gutters 42′ causes the flanges 32′ to be squeezed and sealedwithin the slices 22′ cut into side-surfaces 24′ of the planks 16′.Other suitable sheet materials from which the channels 34′ may be formedinclude stainless steel, aluminum or polycarbonate plastic.

FIGS. 6 and 7 illustrate yet another alternative embodiment integratedgutter system in accordance with the present invention. Those elementsdepicted in FIGS. 6 and 7 that are common to the integrated guttersystems respectively illustrated in FIGS. 1-3 and in FIGS. 4 and 5 carrythe same reference numeral distinguished by a double prime (“″”)designation. The integrated gutter system illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7is adapted for a deck 10″ built with hollow, extruded planks 16″.Referring now particularly to FIG. 7, the channels 34″ for theembodiment of the integrated gutter system illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7each include a U-shaped central section 38″ which provides theimpervious gutter 42″. The central section 38″ of each channel 34″includes a base 92 that at least a portion of which is adapted to bejuxtaposed with and rest upon joists 12″. The central section 38″ alsoincludes a pair of flanges 32″ that project upward from opposite edges94 of the base 92, each of which flanges 32″ terminates in a barbed peak96. A pair of channel mounting-strips 102 respectively extend along andproject horizontally outward from the opposite edges 94 of the base 92of the U-shaped central section 38″. A lower surface 104 of each channelmounting-strip 102 is juxtaposed with and rests upon the joists 12″. Anupper surface 106 of each channel mounting-strip 102 has a longitudinalgroove 108 formed therealong that is pierced by fasteners 112 forsecuring the channel 34″ to the joist 12″. For the alternativeembodiment deck 10″ illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7, the preferredfasteners 112 are self-tapping, flat-head #10 screws one and one half(1½) inches long.

Each of the hollow planks 16″ includes a horizontal upper wall 122, ahorizontal lower wall 124, and side walls 126 which preferably slope atan angle of forty-five degrees (45°) with respect to the walls 121 and124. Each plank 16″ also includes several ribs 128 having varyingorientations with respect to and which extend between the upper wall 122and either the lower wall 124 or one of the side walls 126 along lengthsthereof. The lower wall 124 provides the undersurface 14″ of the plank16″, the upper wall 122 provides an upper surface 132, and the sidewalls 126 provide side-surfaces 24″ thereof. The two side-surfaces 24″are separated by and abut opposite edges both of the upper surface 132and of the undersurface 14″ of the plank 16″. The ribs 128 together withportions of the upper wall 122, the lower wall 124 and/or the side walls126 enclose hollow chambers 138 that extend along and within the plank16″. An upper end of each of the side walls 126 of the plank 16″includes a drip lip 142 which extends over the gutter 42″ provided bychannels 34″. Runoff water draining from the upper surface 132 of theplank 16″ past the drip lip 142 falls directly into the gutter 42″.

Each side wall 126 of the plank 16″ is formed to include a barbed,longitudinal groove 148. During assembly of the deck 10″ illustrated inFIG. 6, two channels 34″, separated by a pre-established distance acrossthe joists 12″, are secured thereto by fasteners 112. Thepre-established distance between each pair of channels 34″ may be easilyestablished by cutting a two (2) inch length off the but-end of a plank16″ and using it to gauge the spacing between immediately adjacent pairsof channels 34″.

As depicted in FIG. 6, if the channel 34″ is immediately adjacent to thewall 82″, then only one-half (½) of a channel 34″ having only one flange32″ is secured to the joists 12″. After a pair of channels 34″ have beensecured to the joist 12″, the plank 16″ is lowered toward the channels34″ until the barbed grooves 148 on each side wall 126 of the plank 16″mate and lock with the barbed peaks 96 of flanges 32″ respectively ofeach of the channels 34″. In this way the channels 34″ secure the plank16″ to the joist 12″.

Both the planks 16″ and the channels 34″ are preferably extruded frompolyvinyl chloride (“PVC”). Alternatively, the planks 16″ and thechannels 34″ may be made from a material which has the requisitedurability, strength, and flexibility characteristics necessary for theplanks 16″ and the channels 34″. Thus the planks 16″ and the channels34″ may be extruded from any other suitable thermoplastic material suchas polypropylene, polyethylene, high density polyethylene (“HDPE”),vinyl acetate copolymers, vinyl chloride monomers (“VCM”), oracrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (“ABS”).

Although the present inventions have been described in terms of thepresently preferred and various alternative embodiments, it is to beunderstood that such disclosure is purely illustrative and is not to beinterpreted as limiting. For example, one may envision variousalternative ways in which runoff water may be collected from ends 62 ofthe channels 34 in addition to the collection gutter 64 depicted in FIG.3. Consequently, without departing from the spirit and scope of theinventions, various alterations, modifications, and/or alternativeapplications thereof will, no doubt, be suggested to those skilled inthe art after having read the preceding disclosure. Accordingly, it isintended that the following claims be interpreted as encompassing allalterations, modifications, or alternative applications as fall withinthe true spirit and scope of the inventions.

1-9. (canceled)
 10. A plank adapted for use in conjunction with achannel and at least one joist in assembling a deck, the channelincluding a central section which provides a gutter, and which includesboth: a. a base that is adapted to be juxtaposed with and rest upon theat least one joist; and b. at least two flanges that project upwardalong opposite edges of the base when the base rests on at least onejoist; the plank also being disposable above and securable to the atleast one joist and comprising undersurface which: a. is juxtaposablewith the joists; and b. has at least one longitudinal slice formedtherein which is adapted to receive a flange of a channel when both thechannel and the plank rest upon the at least one joist; whereby whenlongitudinal grooves of adjacent planks are mated and engaged withflanges of a channel, and planks and the channel are disposed above andsupported by the at least one joist and are secured thereto, theundersurface of the plank becomes juxtaposed with the at least onejoist, and gutters provided by channels are disposed for receivingrunoff water draining from upper surfaces of adjacent planks. 11.(canceled)
 12. (canceled)
 13. The plank of claim 10 wherein the plank isformed from a material that is selected from a group that consists ofPVC, polypropylene, polyethylene including recycled polyethylene, HDPE,vinyl acetate copolymers, VCM, and ABS. 14-44. (canceled)